As more people reconsider how they travel on a warming planet, a small but growing contingent in Europe wants to switch from high-emission, short-haul planes to more climate-friendly sleeper trains. But for all the climate benefits — plus the enduring romance of overnight train journeys — it’s not always simple building a vacation around them. … Read more
SAN FRANCISCO — In case you needed yet another incentive to cram all your travel items into a carry-on, Delta Airlines just boosted the cost of your first checked bag by 17%. The increase adds $5 to the previous, and not-exactly-insignificant, $30 fee for domestic flights. Delta is the third major U.S. carrier to hike … Read more
DALLAS — DALLAS (AP) — American Airlines announced a massive order for new planes on Monday, splitting 260 new aircraft between Boeing, Airbus and Embraer in a move designed to meet growing travel demand and increase the airline’s supply of premium seats. American said it placed options for up to 193 more planes over the … Read more
Inflation has hit most of the economy, but that’s hardly the case with airfare. Not only are airfares down 6% year-over-year based on January 2024 prices, but they’re even down 15% versus a decade ago. That’s according to consumer price index data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics published in February. Some experts predict … Read more
HONG KONG — Hong Kong’s government has lifted curbs on property deals after home prices fell to a seven-year low, adding to the Chinese territory’s woes. Finance minister Paul Chan announced the move in a speech presenting the territory’s budget, which also raised spending on tourism promotion. He said all curbs, such as extra taxes, … Read more
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — The number of passengers flying through Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest for international travel, surged last year beyond its total for 2019 â just before the coronavirus pandemic grounded global aviation. While still shy of its all-time high in 2018, the figures for 2023 showed just how far the … Read more
BEIJING — Icy conditions trapped thousands of motorists on highways in central China as snow and freezing rain snarled travel by air, train and road during the annual Lunar New Year holiday rush. A Chinese travel blogger said she and her boyfriend were waiting with others Tuesday for de-icing work to be completed after covering … Read more
MADRID — Spain received a record 85.1 million international tourists last year, 19% more than the year before, the National Statistics Institute reported Friday. The number of foreign visitors in 2023 surpassed the 83.5 million who went to Spain in 2019, the year before the COVID-19 pandemic ruled out most leisure travel. The U.K., France … Read more
LIMA, Peru — Peru’s government on Wednesday backtracked on plans to outsource the sale of entry tickets to Machu Picchu to a private company, a week after protesters blocked access to the country’s most famous tourist attraction and rail service to the area was suspended. Despite the resolution, the streets, hotels and restaurants around the … Read more
While enjoying my first visit to Portugal in December, I had the misfortune of coming down with food poisoning late one night. I suspect some raw oysters I ate that day were the culprit, but I’ll never know for sure. The result was 12 hours of GI hell and a canceled tour of the palaces … Read more
